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(N0 Model.)

G B DURKEE VIQLIN TUNING PEG.

Patented Feb. 4, 1896.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE E. DURKEE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE LYON & HEALY, OF SAME PLACE.

VIOLIN-TUNING PEG.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 554,057, dated February 4, 1896. Application filed August 10, 1894. Serial No- 519,947. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE B. DURKEE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ohicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful String- Grrip for Tuning-Heads of Musical Instruments, of which the following is a specific-a tion.

Heretofore the tuning-pins or string-posts of musical instruments, such as guitars, man

dolins and banjos, have been furnished with a drilled hole through which the strings were passed. The only means of fastening has been to bring the loose end back and twist it around the main portion of the string, and while holding the string thus twisted with one hand to turn the pin with the other hand until the twisted portion of the string is wound sufficiently around the pin to prevent its undoing. This method of fastening is slow and especially discouraging where steel strings are used,which is always the case with mandolins.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple and efiective method of attaching the strings of these instruments to the tuninghead, substantially as hereinafter fully described and shown in the following specification and drawings attached thereto, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view showing my improvement applied to a mandolin. Fig. 2 shows a similar application to abanjo. Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of my improved string-grip with a short piece of string held in place, presenting a side view. Fig. 4 is an enlarged section presenting an end view of string. Fig. 5 shows in perspective aportion of string-post with gripping device removed. Fig. 6 shows the swivel grip-plate as it appears before being riveted to the swivel-nut. Fig. 7 shows an old-fashioned string-post, such as are commonly used on mandolins and zithers.

In applyingmy improved string-grip I employ but two extra pieces-viz., the female threaded swivel-nut A and its grip-plate B. In order to apply these members properly and without detracting in any way from the symmetrical appearance of the instrument, I cut an outside screw-thread on the string-post C, Fig. 5, as shown at D, and a central slot E to receive the grip-plate B, which is riveted into the cap end of the swivel-nut A, as shown at I. The dotted lines around the upper end of the grip-plate B, Fig. 6, are intended to show the form of this member after being riveted into the cap end of the swivel-nut A.

Operation: In operating this device the knurled portion 0 of the swivel-nut A is revolved between the thumb and finger in either direction. This circular motion causes the swivel-nut to move up and down the stringpost on the outside, carrying the grip-plate up and down in the central slot E. In case a right-hand thread is used, turning the swivelnut to the right grips the string S between the lower end of the grip-plateB and the bottom of the central slot E, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and turning the nut to the left releases it.

One of the principal objects of this device is to get rid of the loose ends of Wire strings, which may be easily broken off after being securely fastened in the grip, thus making a clean appearance, as. shown in Figs; 1 and 2.

I am aware that a number of string-clamps have been devised, some of which have been provided with sliding clamp-pieces, but, so far as I know, these have been too complicated in construction and so unsightly in appearance as to prevent their coming into general use.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent is In a string-clamping device for the tuningheads of musical instruments, the swivel-nut A and grip-plate B in combination with the threaded and slotted string-post O, substantially as and for the purpose described.

T. F. MULLANEY, F. E. BELL. 

